Article: Evaluation of surgical nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention
Year Published: July 2024
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Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe primary research question of this study is to determine the attitudes and knowledge associated with surgical nurses in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Many articles and research analysis are focused on the floor stuff such as intensive care unit, telemetry and medical surgical units to ensure proper prevention post-surgery, upon admission and during duration of stay of a patient to prevention and heal pressure injury formation. By observing and better educating surgical nurses in early onset of pressure ulcer prevention, patients will hope to have better outcomes related to skin prevalence and decrease ulcer formation. It is hope to be found the rate of pressure ulcer formation decreases especially in the elderly population where pressure ulcers are most observed.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
There are several limitations that are found within this study. First, the study results are based on the nurses' self-report which can pose a problem for bias or skewed data because it is developed from opinions rather than facts. Secondly, the results are developed on the nurses based in one hospital located in Turkey. Therefore, different education levels, certifications, training will be different as compared to the United States nursing staff. Also, when basing information on one hospital it is likely to have bias or be inaccurate because there is no other information to compare it to whether the location of the hospitals is in the same state, country, etc. A broader sample size would need to be used to develop accuracy of results.
1. Discuss the sample size used in the study?
ReplyDeleteA sample size of 203 nurses voluntarily participated in this study. The study comprises of nurses working in the surgical clinic (general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose and throat, opthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery) and surgical intensive care units of Pamukkale University Hospital in Turkey.
The criteria to be included in the sample: Nurses need to be 18 years old; the nurses need to volunteer to participate in the research and the nurses need to work as a surgical nurse for at least 6 months.
Nurses that work in the same hospital for less than 1 year and nurses that work as supervisors are excluded from the sample.
2. Discuss the research questions or main problem discussed in the study?
The questions to examine the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses towards pressure ulcers (PU) prevention and to reveal the relationships between the level of knowledge and attitudes are the research questions discussed in the study.
The study shows that the PU knowledge level of surgical nurses was low. The low level of knowledge can lead to adverse patient outcomes which reflect that nurses have educational needs on this topic.
In this study, surgical nurses had a positive attitude towards PU but it was not at the desired level. Possible reasons for this include high nursing workloads, limited time allocated for patient care, a lack of knowledge about risk factors and low awareness of issue.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias:
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple limitations of the article: sample size and choice of study design. Regarding sample size, the study was done at one institution in Turkey - these findings may not be generalizable to other hospitals and countries. Also, the study relied on surgical nurses' self reported knowledge and attitudes of pressure ulcer care with no observation of actual practice.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study? Pressure ulcer prevention should be generally understood and practiced by all nurses, particularly those who care for patients who are immobilized or otherwise at risk. The main problem discussed in the study was knowledge and attitudes about prevention of pressure injuries by surgical and intensive care unit nurses at a university hospital in Turkey. Data was collected using two questionnaires: one that assessed the nurse's knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention and another that looked at attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention.
DeleteDiscuss the sample size used in the study.
ReplyDeleteThe study utilized a sample size of 203 out of 310 nurses working in surgical clinics and intensive care units at Pamukkale University Hospitals in Turkey. The nurses need to be the age of 18, volunteer to participate in the research and need to work as a surgical nurse for at least six months. The final sample size is considered appropriate for a descriptive, cross-sectional study and allowed for meaningful statistical analysis.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
Enhancing nurses' knowledge and attitudes through training and guideline adaptation can significantly improve patient outcomes. Nurses equipped with knowledge and with a positive attitude can prevent complications of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can prolong hospital stays and lead to readmissions. Preventing them can help reduce overall healthcare costs and is far less expensive than treating them. Pressure ulcer prevention, especially through repositioning and exercise, can help maintain and improve a patient's mobility and overall functional abilities, improving quality of life. Nurses who integrate current clinical guidelines into practice ensures consistent professional growth, boosts confidence, and enhances job satisfaction. One major disadvantage is the resource demand. Time, funding, and staff availability may limit the feasibility of ongoing education and simulation training, especially in understaffed settings.
1) Describe the method used by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe research is a descriptive and cross sectional study the population of the study comprises nurses working in the surgical clinics, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and surgical intesive care units of Pamukkale University hospital. The research data were collected face to face between May 2022 and November 2022. Written permission was obtained from the non-interventional Ethics Committee of Pamukkale University.
2) Discuss the limitations of the article.
The study has some limitations, the results of the study are based on the nurses self report, the study was conducted in one institution. Therefore the results can not be generalized for Turkey. Finally, they did not conduct a pilot study to test its feasibility and applicability before full data collection.
1. How does this research article compare to our practices, policy, and/or procedure.
ReplyDeleteThe study in this article compares our recent changes in our policy to assess pressure injuries while patients are hospitalized in our facility. The SWAT team emphasizes the progression or worsening of pressure injuries while the patients are hospitalized at Saint Joseph Medical Center. This article has evaluated new nurses with less than a year-experience their attitude towards wound care indifferent units. Also, our practice includes different units around our hospital. Chronic ulcers are recognized as a public health issue that absorbs a significant amount of time and resources for health systems and health professionals, with a significant social, physical and psychological impact on the quality of life of patients and their families.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendation on your unit and/or hospital.
Advantages of this article is that it only emphasizes nurses with less than a year of experience. The study focuses on the study on descriptive information form, pressure ulcer prevention knowledge assessment, and attitude towards pressure ulcer prevention scale, as we seen the study is very specific. The disadvantage is that the study is very limited. The study haven’t implemented strategy to solve these issues. The study was only 6 moths long, usually a new nurse needs at least at year to learn the policies and adjusted to new responsibilities.
3. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
The method used descriptive and cross-sectional study.
4. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
310 nurses. with less than a year experience. The study was conducted from May 2022-Novemnber 2022.
1) What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?;
ReplyDeleteThe advantages are to reduce and prevent post operative HAPI incident, increased knowledge of pressure ulcers in surgical nurses, and increased vigilance to prevent pressure ulcers in all nursing team, which result in decrease LOS and mortality saving cost. I should say that post operative HAPI is already our hospital’s problem since our floor found at least one HAPI episode right after a surgery in the past; we had to own the incident since we didn’t document appropriately at that time. Thus, it should be very beneficial to not only educate surgical nurses about pressure ulcers, but also educate floor nurses to assess with surgical nurses and document appropriately like we do assess skin between incoming nurse and outgoing nurse after Report. I also recommend to aim to include surgeon for prevention of HAPI during surgery.
The disadvantages are cost of education for nurses and possible resistance from both surgical team and nursing since this is a kind of changing culture. Of course, the cost of educating nurses should be much less than cost of developing a HAPI incident.
2) Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The research question is whether the nurses in the surgical clinics and surgical ICU in Pamukkale universityt has enough knowledge and high attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention and also look for the relationship between the level of knowledge and attitudes. Incidence of pressure ulcer and its prevention show a quality indicator of nursing. Since the knowledge and attitude of pressure ulcer is imperative for timely diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It’s interesting to know the author’s finding; more knowledge with experience the nurses have, more positive attitude they have for Pressure ulcer-prevention.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and was conducted between May and November 2022 in the surgical clinics and ICUs of a university hospital in Turkey. A total of 203 nurses participated. Data were collected using a demographic form, a knowledge scale, and an attitude scale on pressure ulcer prevention. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and the relationship between them.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The study aims to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention and reveals the relationship between level of knowledge and attitudes. The study found that surgical nurses’ knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention was generally insufficient, with many lacking a full understanding of evidence-based practices. While nurses demonstrated a positive attitude toward prevention, their attitudes were not consistently strong enough to ensure effective practice. The analysis also showed that higher knowledge levels were associated with more positive attitudes, and nurses with prior training or education scored better overall. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing education to strengthen both knowledge and attitudes, ultimately improving pressure ulcer prevention.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe research study used was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study also included two hundred nurses and data was collected between May 2022 and November 2022. The date analysis utilized frequency, percentage, independent groups t-test, one way Anova, and linear regression analysis. The nurses needed to be at least 18 years old and voluntarily agree to participate in the study. Also, nurses needed to be working as a surgical nurse for at least six months.
Discuss the limitation of the article.
The study had a few limitations. First of all the results of the study are based on the nurses self report. Nurses self reports can be subjective and there could be the possibility of missing information about the study. Secondly, the study was conducted in one institution only. And lastly, they did not conduct a pilot study to test its feasibility and applicability before full data collection.
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDelete- The research study used was descriptive and cross-sectional. In addition it was conducted between May and November 2022 in the surgical clinics and ICUs of a university hospital in Turkey. there was a total of 203 nurses who participated all above the age of 18 and working as a surgical nurse for six months.
2.Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
- The study aims to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention and reveals the relationship between level of knowledge and attitudes. By observing and better educating surgical nurses in early onset of pressure ulcer prevention, patients will hope to have better outcomes related to skin prevalence and decrease ulcer formation. It is hope to be found the rate of pressure ulcer formation decreases especially in the elderly population where pressure ulcers are most observed.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Descriptive Cross Sectional Study Design. It aimed to describe the characteristics of the nurses' knowledge and attitudes rather than testing a specific hypothesis or intervention. Using a survey approach, data were collected from self-reported information among nurses regarding their knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention in a given point in time.
Discuss the limitation of the article.
ReplyDeleteA- Limited sample representation- the study only included nurses from surgical clinics and ICU, which may not be representative of nurses working in other specializations or settings.
B- Design Flaw- No control group, which would have allowed for comparison and more robust conclusion.
1.What the advantage and disadvantage to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe advantage in this descriptive research article is that all the facts stated are true to nursing practice. These proposed guidelines should be followed. For instance, the article proposed that nurses have a critical role in preventing pressure ulcers. Therefore, nurses’ assessment is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers. Based on this article, there are some interferences that may affect nurses’ attitude towards pressure ulcers and consequently affect the knowledge and level of care. The advantage was the study used descriptive forms to conduct the study to bias in the results. For example, each form had different questions that asked simple questions such as age, gender, educational status, years of employment, just to mention some of them. The disadvantage is that these types of questionaries probably did not alter nurses’ attitudes towards pressures injuries. The article mentioned that nurses’ knowledge was limited due to the inability to attend training. Perhaps if these nurses had encouragement to get paid for pressure injuries training the results would be higher. Also, the disadvantage of this proposal is very limited. The data was not relevant to have define conclusion.
2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
The advantage in implementing the article recommendations at 4 north is that would emphasize the nursing practices towards pressure injuries. Since 4 north has a very wide nurses’ diversity it would be interesting to implement some of the forms that conducted this research. For instance, PUPKAIT-T form that goes form very basic nursing assessment such as risk factors, nutrition that many times reduce pressure injuries. The disadvantages of these recommendations are that the article did not close a gap between the exiting problem with pressures injuries and nursing practice. This research was done at Turkey where might not follow united States nursing guidelines and practices.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
ReplyDeleteAccording to recent insights, enhancing nurses' expertise and attitudes through targeted training and the adoption of updated guidelines greatly benefits patient care. Educated and positively-minded nurses are crucial in preventing pressure ulcer complications, which often extend hospital stays and result in readmissions. Prevention measures not only reduce healthcare costs but are more cost-effective than treatment. Methods such as repositioning and exercise play a key role in preserving patients' mobility and functional abilities, thereby improving their quality of life. Moreover, nurses applying current clinical guidelines foster professional development, increase confidence, and achieve higher job satisfaction. However, ongoing education and simulation training face challenges, especially in resource-constrained environments, due to demands on time, funding, and staffing.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
Recent research seeks to understand the connection between surgical nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention. By focusing on educating nurses about early intervention techniques, the study anticipates improved patient outcomes in skin health and reduced incidence of ulcer formation. There is an expectation that these preventative measures will be particularly effective in decreasing the occurrence of pressure ulcers among the elderly, who are most affected by this condition.
1.Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
ReplyDeleteThe study has several limitations that should be considered. First, if the sample size was small or not representative, the findings may not be generalizable to all surgical nurses. Second, the cross-sectional design captures data at a single point in time, which limits the ability to assess changes over time or establish causal relationships. Additionally, the reliance on self-reported data introduces the possibility of social desirability bias, as respondents may provide answers they believe are expected rather than reflecting their true perceptions. Finally, the study does not include an assessment of specific interventions, such as training programs, making it unclear whether educational initiatives would effectively improve knowledge and attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention.
2.Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study.
The main problem addressed in this study is the potential gap in surgical nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention, which can directly impact patient outcomes and safety. The research seeks to answer questions such as: How knowledgeable are surgical nurses about evidence-based practices for preventing pressure ulcers? What are their attitudes toward implementing these practices in daily care? By exploring these questions, the study aims to identify areas where education or policy improvements are needed to enhance nursing competence, ensure adherence to clinical guidelines, and ultimately reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in surgical patients. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding both knowledge and attitudes, as positive attitudes are essential for the consistent application of preventive measures in clinical practice.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study:
ReplyDeleteSurgical nurses had insufficient knowledge about the importance of preventing pressure ulcers. In this study about 73% of operating nurses did not have enough experience to prevent pressure ulcer associated with surgery. Based on a literature, 12.8% of surgery patients have stage pressure ulcer with in 24hrs after surgery which includes preop and intraop periods. The study shows that surgical nurses have lower knowledge and attitude in operating room. The low knowledge maybe due to lack of training perhaps due to workload or insufficient educational effectiveness which then can lead to adverse patient outcome. Therefore, it is necessary for nurses to be able to identify training gaps and master the guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention.
Discuss the sample size used in the study:
The population for this study consists of 310 nurses in surgical clinics including general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, ENT, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery. The research is descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data was collected between May 2022- November 2022. Some inclusions included age >18, needs to volunteer to participate, and need to work as surgical nurse for at least six months. Explanations were given to nurses who participated. Consent was obtained and they were given a week to complete a data collection form. About 203 nurses volunteered for this study.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe research intended to assess surgical nurses’ knowledge and views on preventing pressure ulcers in patients. It examined their awareness and attitudes regarding the necessary measures to prevent pressure ulcers. Skin injuries can show the effectiveness of care provided by the care team.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The sample size included 203 nurses working in the surgical clinics as well as surgical intensive care units at the university hospitals of Pamukkale. Nurses needed to be at least 18 years of age, voluntary participation, and had been working as surgical nurses for a minimum of six months. The sample size excluded nurses who upheld supervisor roles.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
DeleteThe study aimed to analyze surgical nurses’ understanding and attitudes towards preventing pressure ulcers in patients. It examined nurses' awareness and views regarding the necessary measures needed to prevent these injuries. Many patients hospitalized are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Skin injuries can show the effectiveness of care provided by the care team. It is essential for nurses to have a well rounded understanding about pressure ulcers and awareness on the interventions needed to prevent these injuries from occurring.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study had a relatively small sample size.
The participants in this study included 203 nurses working in the surgical clinics as well as surgical intensive care units at the university hospitals of Pamukkale. Nurses needed to be at least 18 years of age, it had to be voluntary participation, and had been working as surgical nurses for a minimum of six months. The sample size did not include nurses who upheld supervisor roles.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study
ReplyDeletePressure injuries are wounds that typically form over the boney prominences due to pressure or sheer forces. These are preventable and are more commonly seen in the elderly and chronically ill. Literature shows that 12.8% of surgical patients have a pressure injury within 24 hours after surgery. A study showed that 73% of operating room nurses did not have adequate experience to prevent pressure ulcers during surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses towards pressure ulcer prevention and to reveal the relationship between the level of knowledge and attitudes.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study
The sample size utilized in this study comprised of 310 nurses working in surgical clinics and surgical intensive care units. These surgical clinics included: general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology and neurosurgery. The inclusion criteria of the nurses included being the age of 18 and above, the nurses needed to volunteer to participate in the research, and working as a surgical nurse for at least six months. The exclusion criteria were the nurses need to work as a nurse in the same hospital for less than one year and the nurse need to work as a supervisor position.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations—updating undergraduate and in-service training, aligning education with current guidelines, incorporating simulation, and supporting wound-care units—offer clear advantages by improving care quality, strengthening nurses’ preventive attitudes, enhancing professional confidence, and reducing complications and costs associated with pressure ulcers. However, these strategies also have disadvantages, including the need for significant institutional resources, challenges for smaller or underfunded hospitals, added workload for already busy staff, and limited generalizability of findings since the study was conducted in a single institution with self-reported data.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study population consisted of 310 surgical nurses at Pamukkale University Hospitals, and a total of 203 nurses who met the inclusion criteria and volunteered participated in the research. Most were female (73.9%), aged 26–30 (46.3%), and held a bachelor’s degree (76.8%); half had 1–5 years of nursing experience, and 66% worked in surgical clinics while 34% worked in surgical ICUs.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeletePressure ulcers are a well-known hospital problem that increases hospital length of stay and increases the burden on patients. The study discusses the negative impact pressure ulcers have on patients and how the incidence of pressure ulcers can be decreased through wound care with nursing education and clinical guidelines. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses regarding the prevention of pressure ulcers in the operating room because there are numerous risk factors for developing pressure ulcers post-op but the knowledge base and attitudes of such surgical nurses is inadequate.
2. Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
According to the journal, there are some visible limitations. The results of the study were limited in that the results were based on the surgical nurses' self-report. Another limitation is that the data cannot be generalized for Turkey because the study was only carried out at one single university hospital with no other locations. The authors of the study also acknowledged they should have conducted an initial pilot study to determine the actual study's feasibility and applicability prior to full data collection.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations—updating undergraduate and in-service training, aligning education with current guidelines, incorporating simulation, and supporting wound-care units—offer several advantages, including improved care quality, stronger preventive attitudes among nurses, greater professional confidence, and reduced complications and costs related to pressure ulcers. At the same time, these strategies present challenges such as the need for significant institutional resources, which can be especially difficult for smaller or underfunded hospitals. They also risk adding to the workload of already busy staff, and their generalizability is limited since the study was conducted in a single institution using self-reported data.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study involved 310 surgical nurses at Pamukkale University Hospitals, with 203 meeting the inclusion criteria and volunteering to participate. Most participants were female (73.9%), between 26 and 30 years old (46.3%), and held a bachelor’s degree (76.8%). About half had 1–5 years of experience, with 66% working in surgical clinics and 34% in surgical ICUs.